French Chicken Casserole a la Normande
Indulge in the comforting flavors of French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, a delightful one-pot dish that warms the heart and pleases the palate. This recipe features tender chicken braised with juicy apples and aromatic thyme, all enveloped in a creamy sauce that brings together savory and sweet notes. Perfect for family gatherings or busy weeknights, this casserole is easy to prepare and makes for an unforgettable meal. Serve it alongside fluffy potatoes or rice for a satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately six people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- Salt (to taste)
- 4 shallots (diced) or one medium onion
- 1 rib celery (diced)
- 4–5 thyme sprigs
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp apple juice
- 2 tbsp flour
- 85 ml chicken stock
- 2 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges)
- 125 ml heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt.
- Heat olive oil in a large casserole dish over medium-high heat, browning the chicken on all sides. Remove from the pot.
- In the same pan, cook shallots and celery until soft, then add garlic.
- Deglaze with apple juice, stir in flour, then gradually add chicken stock to thicken.
- Return chicken to the pot with thyme sprigs; bring to a gentle boil before transferring to the oven.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes; remove lid and bake uncovered for another 30 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream, then bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
- Fold in sautéed apple wedges before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg